Eleanor election may be decided by drawing lots

Every vote counts, especially in elections where only 121 people vote.

The local election in Eleanor, a Putnam County town with about 1,500 residents, was June 10, but a tie is still unresolved between incumbent Town Councilman David Lewis and challenger Tom Sheridan. They both got 40 votes in the at-large race for the five-member council.

All four provisional ballots that were cast and under consideration have been ruled ineligible by election workers, town Recorder Lynda S. Casto said Tuesday. The ballots were cast by individuals who weren’t on the voting books.

Poll workers will reconvene at 7 p.m. today at Town Hall, and Casto said if neither candidate requests a recount by that time the tie will be settled by drawing lots, such as by picking a name out of a hat.

Every other item on the June 10 ballot was resolved. An amendment that would have extended the town’s terms of office from two to four years failed for a fourth time, with only 32 for and 73 against.

Mayor Walter “Fred” Halstead and Casto ran unopposed and won re-election. Casto received the most votes of any candidate, 82.

Incumbent Kevin Childers, with 69 votes, won a Town Council seat, along with incumbent Kim Clendenin, at 64 votes, incumbent Jack R. McClane, at 59 votes, and challenger Cam Clendenin, at 58 votes.

Challenger Jason Cartwright came in seventh with 31 votes, so he won’t earn a seat. The winners will take office July 1.